Hilo Bound Traffic Closure HWY11 Near Keaau

[Carey]

Just got this info, have no idea if it still is:
http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2013/0...ear-keaau/

ADDED, went up the road, Looks like it still might be closed, based on the local traffic:
http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/sections...keaau.html

[Peter Epperson]

We were stuck in the traffic for a while and had plenty of time to ponder what was up ahead that may have caused the delay. We found out. It certainly gives one pause as you pass by a bicycle in the weeds and a white sheet draped over a body.

[Carey]

A witness to the accident reported that the truck driver seemed to be racing another truck on HWY 11, lost control, crossed the median - killing the cyclist...

The cyclist was a 66 yr old Keaau gentleman who lost his wife just over a year ago to a car accident... just so sad...really do feel for this family

[ericlp]

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/sections...fatal.html

The driver of the pickup, 27-year-old Siaiku L. Aholelei of Mountain View, was taken by ambulance to Hilo Medical Center, where he was treated for minor injuries and released. He was then arrested on suspicion of first-degree negligent homicide. He was being held at the Hilo police cellblock pending further investigation.

According to court records, Aholelei has 17 criminal convictions, including felony theft, felony asssault and auto theft. He’s was convicted for DUI and reckless driving in 2008, and has three convictions for speeding since 2011.

A real winner... Dude needs to spend the rest of his life locked up so he doesn't kill anyone else.

[shave_ice]

This is so sad and messed up. What a loser. The guy who killed his wife isn't in jail and hasn't been charged yet either.
This may be the "wild west" (and for the most part I like it that way), but this type of injustice is unacceptable.

[opihikao]

Update FYI: (*Snipped - More at link)


http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/23573...ng-cyclist


Wearing a hospital gown and shackles, Siaku Aholelei stood in a Hilo courtroom Monday afternoon. The 27-year old Mountain View man is accused of negligent homicide and manslaughter for a crash last Friday that killed a Kea'au bicyclist.

66-year old Cenon Visaya was riding his bike to pick eggplant when he was hit by the pickup truck.

Hilo police say Aholelei was speeding south on Highway 11 just before noon when he lost control of the truck and slammed into Visaya who was riding on the shoulder.

Visaya's wife, Josefina Visaya was also killed in a traffic accident last year on Mamalahoa Highway. Visaya was a landscaper who was returning from a job with other employees of Puna Certified Nursery when the van they were in was hit by a suspected drunk driver.

That driver was never charged. The crash is still under investigation.

Fred Visaya, the son of Cenon and Josefina, says it is difficult. They were still mourning their mother, now they are having to bury their father.

Prosecutor Mitch Roth says a problem with the paperwork on the manslaughter charge was the reason Aholelei's bail was reduced from $275,000 to $25,000. It will be complete tomorrow morning and Roth expects the bail to go back up.

Bloody OUTRAGEOUS! [!] That bail better go back up, Mr. Roth. No manslaughter charge due to paperwork? Unacceptable. JMO. [!]

[kalakoa]

...insult/injury: with reduced bail, the guy is now free:

http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/sections...freed.html

[Carey]

I could not believe that when I read it this morning... free on bail, while on parole from a five year sentence from a conviction of 2nd deg assault in 2008, also in 2008 a felony conviction FOR BAIL JUMPING!

All parties in the prosecutors staff AND OUR POLICE DEPT. STAFF that did not make sure that 2nd bit of paperwork (the Riverside affidavit) for the manslaughter was not available (and that does include the prosecuting attny Roland Talon, & HIS BOSS) should be more than a little ashamed at their total lack of professionalism! I do hope there is a public accounting for how this oversight could have happened!

Added: To have done this to this family that is still awaiting anything to be done about the person that killed his wife a year ago is truly adding insult to injury.....how can our prosecutors & police even attempt to tell them they are trying to get justice done for this family? It should shame all of the employees in both departments that they have done such an travesty of justice to this one family.... I know I feel that we have all done an injustice to them!

[rainyjim]

I know you don't want it, but Carey...

"I know I feel that we have all done an injustice to them!"

this shows your true quality, Mahalo, I agree with this sentiment... I also feel (even if it's just a little) a responsibility when a travesty like this occurs. We're all responsible for letting "it" get to "this". Pratityasamutpada, as the Buddhist say.


Aloha mai kakou

[Chunkster]

This is the second time in just a few months that a "paperwork error" in the prosecutor's office had loosed a dangerous criminal on us. Prosecutor Mitch Roth promised us this sort of nonsense would change. I know it was a subordinate in both cases who screwed up, but the buck stops at the top.